Thursday midday May 11

Preparation

Opening response

Favor us, Lord, and deliver us.Lord, come quickly and help us.

If I went up to heaven, you would be there.If I went down to the grave, you would be there too!

Psalm 139:8

Praise

Yesterday I was crucified with Christ;today I am glorified with him.Yesterday I was dead with Christ;today I am sharing in his resurrection.Yesterday I was buried with him;today I am waking with him from the sleep of death.

Gregory of Nazianzus (389)

The Word of God

Psalm 111

Refrain:The Lord is full of mercy and compassion.

Praise the Lord! I thank the Lord with all my heart in the company of those who do right, in the congregation.The works of the Lord are magnificent; they are treasured by all who desire them.God’s deeds are majestic and glorious. God’s righteousness stands forever.God is famous for his wondrous works. The Lord is full of mercy and compassion.God gives food to those who honor him. God remembers his covenant forever.God proclaimed his powerful deeds to his people and gave them what had belonged to other nations.God’s handiwork is honesty and justice; all God’s rules are trustworthy— they are established always and forever: they are fulfilled with truth and right doing.God sent redemption for his people; God commanded that his covenant last forever. Holy and awesome is God’s name!Fear of the Lord is where wisdom begins; sure knowledge is for all who keep God’s laws. God’s praise lasts forever!

Glory to the Father and to the Sonand to the Holy Spirit;as it was in the beginning is nowand will be forever. Amen.

Refrain:The Lord is full of mercy and compassion.

Psalm prayer

Gracious God, you are full of compassion;may we who long for your kingdom to comerejoice to do your willand acknowledge your power alone to save;through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Scripture readingLuke 24:28-32

When they came to Emmaus, he acted as if he was going on ahead. But they urged him, saying, “Stay with us. It’s nearly evening, and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. After he took his seat at the table with them, he took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight. They said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts on fire when he spoke to us along the road and when he explained the scriptures for us?”

Silence may be kept.

Response

Happy are people who make peace, because they will be called God’s children.

Matthew 5:9

Prayers

Intercession and thanksgiving

Prayers may include these concerns:

The people of God, that they may proclaim the risen LordGod’s creation, that the peoples of the earth may meet theirresponsibility to careThose in despair and darkness, that they may find the hope and lightof ChristThose in fear of death, that they may find faith through theresurrectionPrisoners and captives

Other intercessions and supplications may be offered as the Holy Spirit leads.

Prayer

Christ yesterday and today,the beginning and the end,Alpha and Omega,all time belongs to you,and all ages;to you be glory and powerthrough every age and forever.Amen.

From the Easter Vigil

The Lord’s Prayer

As our Savior taught us, so we pray

Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your name,your kingdom come,your will be done,on earth as in heaven.Give us today our daily bread.Forgive us our sinsas we forgive those who sin against us.Lead us not into temptationbut deliver us from evil.For the kingdom, the power,and the glory are yoursnow and forever.Amen.